Immigration

September 25, 2020

Foreign students soon may find themselves subject to new policies and processes regarding their status in the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released for comment its proposed rule Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedures for Individuals in F, J and I Status. The 31-day comment period will run until October 26, 2020. The primary purpose of the proposed rule is to replace the Duration…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

Flexibility in Responding to USCIS Requests Extended

By Raymond Lahoud

September 25, 2020

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On September 11, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the flexibilities in responding to various requests raised by the agency. The flexibility was originally announced on March 30 in response measure to the coronavirus pandemic. This measure will help applicants, petitioners, and requestors who must respond to the following: Requests for Evidence Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14) Notices of Intent to Deny Notices of Intent to Revoke Notices of Intent to…

Coronavirus Immigration Blog

Downgrading Suddenly A Strategy for Backlogged Immigrants

By Greg Siskind

September 25, 2020

While it might seem counter-intuitive for an employment-based immigrant visa category that requires an advanced degree like a master’s or doctorate to have longer waiting times than a category that requires a bachelor’s degree or lower, this happens occasionally. Such was the case in 2013 when EB-3 cutoff dates for China were more recent than EB-2 cutoff dates. And it has just happened again for India with EB-3 dates more favorable than EB-2 who are…

Inside Business Immigration

The First Visa Bulletin of the New Government Fiscal Year Released

By Sarah E. Amendola

September 24, 2020

On Sept. 24, 2020, The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the October 2020 Visa Bulletin, the first of the new government fiscal year (FY 2021). Often the month of the most anticipated visa bulletin, October marks the reset of the number of green cards authorized to be issued annually and by category for employment-based cases. Thus far in 2020, many of the employment-based categories have been current with an excess number of green…

Business Immigration Insights

October 2020 Visa Bulletin –A Deceivingly Slow Start to the New Fiscal Year

By Courtland C. Witherup

September 24, 2020

The Visa Bulletin is released monthly by the Department of State and is used to determine when a sponsored foreign national can submit the final step of the green card process, or if already pending, when the final step can be adjudicated. Below is a summary of the October Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month. China: EB-1 advances three months to June 1, 2018; EB-2 moves forward six weeks…

The Mobile Workforce

2020 Trailblazers: Crisis Leadership

By Grace Shie

September 24, 2020

We are excited to share the news that Mayer Brown partner Liz Stern, leader of the firm’s Global Mobility & Migration practice and co-leader of the COVID-19 Global Response Team, has been named a 2020 “Crisis Leadership Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal! Liz was selected for her innovative approach to mobilizing the firm’s COVID-19 Global Response and spearheading the launch of the firm’s COVID-19 support platform, which includes a number of cutting-edge tools to…

The Mobile Workforce

Saudi Arabia Partially Lifts COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

By Elizabeth (Liz) Espín Stern, María E. Ferré & Jad A. Taha

September 24, 2020

As of September 15, 2020, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has lifted certain international travel restrictions on citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council states as well as expatriates and their dependents that hold a valid visa. Individuals who seek to re-enter the Kingdom are still required to meet all COVID-19 safety measures upon entrance, such as demonstration of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test administered within 48 hours of re-entry. Requirements for air travelers…

Inside Business Immigration

Fall Travel Advisory: U.S. Embassy/Consular Services and COVID-19 Movement Restrictions

By Anna H. Morzy & Katherine M. Rozmus

September 23, 2020

With the beginning of autumn, individuals who may wish to travel internationally for the holidays should start planning accordingly. With movement restrictions still in place and U.S. embassies and consulates operating at limited capacities, travelers need to be prepared for long processing and wait times. Also, as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation remains fluid worldwide, travelers need to be prepared to remain flexible. This updated GT Alert provides considerations with respect to international travel…

Immigration Blog

DHS May Resume Public Charge Rule, Federal Appeals Court Rules

By Amy L. Peck & Michael H. Neifach

September 23, 2020

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may resume implementation of the new Public Charge Rule, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled. The factors that are considered under the new Public Charge Rule include the applicant’s use of public benefits, employment status and history of employment in the U.S., among others. Since 2018, the Administration has been trying to enforce a new Public Charge Rule that expands the public benefits that…

The Asylumist

The War Over Work Permits

By Jason Dzubow

September 23, 2020

These days, it takes approximately forever to complete an asylum case. Because of the long wait, the law allows asylum seekers to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”), which lets them work lawfully while the case is pending. In one of its many regulatory attacks on the asylum system, the Trump Administration recently implemented new rules making it more difficult to get an EAD. But those rules have been challenged in court. Let’s take…

Immigration

Proposed Rule Would Replace Duration of Status Policies for International Students

Flexibility in Responding to USCIS Requests Extended

Downgrading Suddenly A Strategy for Backlogged Immigrants

The First Visa Bulletin of the New Government Fiscal Year Released

October 2020 Visa Bulletin –A Deceivingly Slow Start to the New Fiscal Year

2020 Trailblazers: Crisis Leadership

Saudi Arabia Partially Lifts COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

Fall Travel Advisory: U.S. Embassy/Consular Services and COVID-19 Movement Restrictions

DHS May Resume Public Charge Rule, Federal Appeals Court Rules

The War Over Work Permits

Immigration Blogs

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